$25 million to drive the next stage of Barton Highway: King, McBain
The Barton Highway has undergone significant upgrades over the past few years. The first stage of works opened in early 2024, and duplicated the highway from the NSW side of the ACT Border to Kaveneys Road in NSW ... Detailed planning work to deliver Stage 2 of the Barton Highway upgrade is currently being finalised.
Horse groups have grounds for complaint over planning schemozzle
The Bendigo Showgrounds – home of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships and many other state and national equestrian events – is to have the size of its arena cut significantly under a Victorian Government redevelopment of the site.
“Wrong decision”, declares Laurie Levy: Duck season already under way
Coalition Against Duck Shooting Campaign Director, Laurie Levy, said at the weekend: “Despite the scientific reports that show native waterbirds are in serious long-term decline, Premier Jacinta Allan has extended Victoria’s duck shooting season this year, even with the serious risk of spreading bird flu that could be present on any wetland.”
Teals’ ‘fake online newspaper’ an insult to regional communities and media outlets
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Teals' 'fake online news site', funded by Teal donors, is extremely misleading to local communities and harmful to regional Australian media organisations. Mr Littleproud said it is disappointing the Teals have launched online 'Gazette News' in a bid to deceive residents...
Australia first survey targets the role of local papers
Political leaders across Victoria are being asked their views on the importance of local newspapers and their ongoing sustainability as part of an Australia-first research project. The Victorian government is the only state government in Australia to make this guaranteed commitment.
Parade traffic management: change of direction
Preparation for the Maldon Easter Fair and the 148th Easter Parade are underway ... on Thursday 13 March the organisers used social media to share their concern that a traffic management company had informed them that it would no longer provide its services to the parade ...
Moolort walk: planning decisions imminent
A collection of around 60 attendees met under bursting skies at the Moolort Silos on the morning of Sunday 16 March, to attend the 'Walk the Line' event which commenced at 9.30 am. The walk was arranged by Castlemaine to Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) and Central Goldfields Bushwalking and Hiking Club, offering the chance to ponder the past and the future of the Moolort Plains.
Volunteering difficulty
Encouraging volunteerism in regional areas is becoming increasingly difficult, according to Nick McBride, the independent member for MacKillop. Earlier this month, Mr McBride informed the House of Assembly that his MacKillop electorate office, based in Naracoorte, was contacted by constituents suggesting providing concessions for community contributors could help boost volunteer participation.
3G switch off “should have been handled better”
The senate's Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network has found that the shutdown should have been handled better ... The evidence given by many rural Australians through this committee inquiry speaks to the loss of mobile phone access despite those promises,” Mr Pasin said.
ACCC recommends supermarket reforms to provide better outcomes for consumers and suppliers
The final report for the ACCC's supermarkets inquiry has made 20 recommendations after finding that ALDI, Coles and Woolworths are some of the most profitable supermarket businesses among global peers and their average product margins have increased over the past five financial years.
Trump’s tariffs will hurt American farmers
As the U.S. escalates tariffs on key trading partners like China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, these nations are retaliating strategically—targeting Trump’s biggest supporters and one of the most powerful lobbying forces in America: its farmers.
South Australia home to nation’s first advanced electronic warfare testing vehicle: Mullighan
A nation-first vehicle designed to test cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) technologies on the go, has been developed in South Australia. Defence leader Raytheon Australia has pioneered the Electronic Warfare Tactical Engagement (EWTE) vehicle, to fast-track the innovation of local and national EW solutions.
NSW leads the way – first state to regulate batteries: Sharpe
The Minns Labor Government has introduced nation-leading legislation that would require suppliers to take greater responsibility for the handling and disposal of products including batteries that can cause a risk to human safety and the environment.
First machete ban in Australia passes Parliament: Carbines
he Allan Labor Government has implemented Australia’s first machete ban with the Terrorism (Community Protection) and Control of Weapons Amendment Bill [2024] passing Parliament ... Penalties of 2 years imprisonment or a fine of over $47,000 for being caught in possession of one will apply.
Politics drives Basin demise
Australia’s largest water reform project, the Murray Darling Basin Plan, appears to be joining a growing list of abject failures driven by politicians and bureaucrats who have little to no wisdom, ethics or skin in the game. Unless of course, that skin is water trading ... Despite constitutional protections, the Australian Federal Government's $13b has fuelled a 50 per cent reduction in NSW and Victorian irrigation water use since 1997-98. SA saw a 22 per cent reduction, while Qld bucked the trend increasing extraction by roughly 58 per cent.
More fall out from event cancellation
The cancellation of the recent Cohuna Bridge to Bridge fund raiser has created ripples through the halls of power in Melbourne and is still causing discussion about the huge jump in traffic management fees ... After The Bridge ran the story in our March 6 edition, we received a call from the Premier’s office asking to have more input into the story ...
Priority budget projects identified
Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has released her Indi Budget Submission ahead of the budget to be handed down next Tuesday. The key themes of Dr Haines’ submission reflect the widespread concerns and policy priorities for Indi including regional housing supply; cost-of-living support; health; early education and care; climate change and energy; regional development; and integrity.
Avenue of Honour extension opening coincides with Chauvel’s Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride
Lockhart Shire Council and The Rock RSL Sub-Branch officially opened The Rock Avenue of Honour Extension, a project honouring the service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force personnel. This significant event coincided with Chauvel's Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride, bringing together history, remembrance, and community spirit in a powerful tribute to Australia's military heritage.
Equine excellence
If it takes a village to raise a child then it also takes a massive team effort from the Cambooya Campdraft Association, Cambooya Pony Club, other local pony clubs, local businesses and politicians to successfully redevelop the Cambooya Recreation Ground into a first class equine facility.
fabALICE to bring the razzle dazzle of drag to Alice Springs
The glitz and glamour of drag queens and kings returns to the Red Centre when fabALICE takes over Alice Springs from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 March. fabALICE is a vibrant four-day festival of colour, creativity, celebration and inclusivity featuring talented drag queens and kings...
Fresh start for Queensland – Community consultation for additional wind farm proposals: Bleijie
The Crisafulli Government is ensuring local communities are consulted on two new wind farm developments, in line with the LNP’s election commitment. Wind farm development applications for the Marmadua Energy Park and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 23km east of Tara, and 15km south of Wandoan respectively, have been issued with proposed ‘call in’ notices.
Fueling the fun: Rockynats introduces Little Tokyo and RC Racing to take off-track entertainment to the next gear
This year’s Rare Spares Rockynats is set to rev up excitement both on and off-the-track with thrilling new program additions including an Asian street food-inspired Little Tokyo Drift Precinct and Off-Road Remote Control (RC) Car Racing that promise to bring even greater variety and entertainment for attendees of all ages to Queensland’s largest car and bike festival on April 4-6 in Rockhampton.
